Beyond Images: Breast Radiology

10/11/2016

Pictured: Dr. Debbie Bennett

Specialization, Team Approach Set SLUCare Breast Imaging Apart

Because she liked studying images and pictures, Dr. Debbie Bennett gravitated toward specializing in radiology during med school at Harvard. There was
only one issue: general radiologists rarely deal directly with patients. She quickly
learned breast imaging allowed her to have direct — and important — interaction with her patients. She was
hooked. "During residency, what struck me was you had the chance to be present at
an extremely important time in someone's life, to deliver good or bad news," says
Bennett, director of breast imaging for SLUCare Physician Group. "At that moment,
especially with bad news, you have one chance to make it better or make it worse for
the patient. I wanted the chance to make it better."

We feel lucky and grateful to specialize, it allows us to focus all our time and energy
on each mammogram, as well as on the latest advances in the industry."

SLUCare breast radiologists specialize in breast imaging at SSM Health Saint Louis
University Hospital, SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital and SSM Health St. Clare Hospital.
Unlike hospitals where the radiologist might study a breast image in the morning and
then a knee MRI in the afternoon, the SLUCare team devotes its time entirely to mammography.
"We feel lucky and grateful to specialize," says Bennett, who is also the medical
director for SSM Health St. Louis breast imaging. "It allows us to focus all our time
and energy on each mammogram, as well as on the latest advances in the industry,"
she says. "I work with awesome women who bring a great mix of training and experience
to our division. We have seen a lot of different cancers so we know what we're looking
for. We all get along very well, which is rare in any field. And it is great to have
a second set of eyes for a certain image or to talk a challenging case through with
each other."

St. Louis native Kathleen Kelly cannot think of a better place to be tested. She has
had three siblings die of cancer and two others diagnosed with it. She herself has
undergone two biopsies, and she has regular breast exams and mammograms, all at SLUCare's
breast center. "I wanted to go to the place that had the most qualified professionals
to get the best care I could," Kelly says. "Early detection can mean the difference
between life and death. I find the doctors there very professional, upbeat and friendly.
It's uncomfortable every time you have to have these types of tests, but they could
not be nicer."

Bennett understands anxiety is present each time a patient arrives, even for a routine
mammogram. When a biopsy is required, that anxiety is heightened. Communication with
the patients is critical throughout the process. "I think that is sort of the crux
of everything we do," Bennett says. "We always have to remember that whether we are
physically in front of a patient or not, there is a patient. This is not just about
a picture. Patients pick up on everything we do, verbal or nonverbal. It's very important
that we get across the information and be honest, but also empathetic. We need to
know where they are coming from so we can meet them where they are most comfortable."